A skimmer (100) for removing a slag layer (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking. The improved skimmer (100) is a steel framework covered in reinforced refractory, having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminating at one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is attached to a boom for a prior art skimming machine. In use, the improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the slag layer, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports to move the slag layer out from the back of ladle so it can be skimmed into a slag pot (4).

A skimmer (100) for removing a slag layer (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking. The improved skimmer (100) is a steel framework covered in reinforced refractory, having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminating at one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is attached to a boom for a prior art skimming machine. In use, the improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the slag layer, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports to move the slag layer out from the back of ladle so it can be skimmed into a slag pot (4).

A method and apparatus closing a slag doorway and cleaning the slag doorway and channel of a metallurgical furnace including walls defining a slag doorway and a slag channel that crosses the slag doorway and has a bottom. The apparatus includes a support structure associable with the furnace, at least one slag-breaking body including a lower border that, under mounting conditions of the apparatus on the furnace, is directed towards the bottom and at a definable height, the slag-breaking body being associated with the support structure in a movable manner along the slag channel away and/or towards the slag doorway to wipe, with its lower border, the bottom or a parallel plane, and a vibrating or oscillating mechanism associated with the slag-breaking body to confer a vibrating or oscillating movement with non null component incident the bottom, during a travel performed during its movement away or towards the slag doorway.

A shaft furnace charging device and cooling system includes a suspension rotor with a charge distributor and stationary housing. The cooling system includes an annular swivel joint arranged coaxially on an axis, connecting stationary and rotary circuit portions. The swivel joint includes forward connections for receiving cooling fluid from the stationary circuit portion and supplying cooling fluid to the rotary circuit portion; return connections for receiving cooling fluid from the rotary circuit portion; and returning cooling fluid to the stationary circuit portion. The swivel joint includes a partition dividing the annular volume into cavities wherein an internal cavity is partially surrounded by an external cavity, and the forward connections are coupled via one of the cavities and the return connections are coupled via the other of the cavities. The swivel joint includes leakage-permitting communication between the external and internal cavities through annular clearances. Annular flow restrictors are provided in clearances.

A shaft furnace charging device and cooling system includes a suspension rotor with a charge distributor and stationary housing. The cooling system includes an annular swivel joint arranged coaxially on an axis, connecting stationary and rotary circuit portions. The swivel joint includes forward connections for receiving cooling fluid from the stationary circuit portion and supplying cooling fluid to the rotary circuit portion; return connections for receiving cooling fluid from the rotary circuit portion; and returning cooling fluid to the stationary circuit portion. The swivel joint includes a partition dividing the annular volume into cavities wherein an internal cavity is partially surrounded by an external cavity, and the forward connections are coupled via one of the cavities and the return connections are coupled via the other of the cavities. The swivel joint includes leakage-permitting communication between the external and internal cavities through annular clearances. Annular flow restrictors are provided in clearances.

A geothermally powered iron production subsystem includes using heat transfer fluid heated by a geothermal system with a wellbore extending from a surface into an underground magma reservoir. A hopper receives iron ore that is crushed and provided to a blast furnace, along with limestone and coke. The blast furnace is heated by a heat exchanger configured to receive the heat transfer fluid heated by the geothermal system to generate the heat provided to the blast furnace. One or more components of the iron production subsystem may also be powered by the heated heat transfer fluid.

A geothermally powered iron production subsystem includes using heat transfer fluid heated by a geothermal system with a wellbore extending from a surface into an underground magma reservoir. A hopper receives iron ore that is crushed and provided to a blast furnace, along with limestone and coke. The blast furnace is heated by a heat exchanger configured to receive the heat transfer fluid heated by the geothermal system to generate the heat provided to the blast furnace. One or more components of the iron production subsystem may also be powered by the heated heat transfer fluid.

Described is a device for recovering heat and fumes from slag resulting from the steel production cycle which allows the heat emitted by the slag during the cooling to be used without the need to collect the slag in tubs which must then be transported to the cooling surface and tipped in order to discharge the slag; at the same time, this device allows the fumes and consequently the heat and the pollutants which the slag emits during the tipping and the time on the cooling surface to be conveyed and treated.

Described is a device for recovering heat and fumes from slag resulting from the steel production cycle which allows the heat emitted by the slag during the cooling to be used without the need to collect the slag in tubs which must then be transported to the cooling surface and tipped in order to discharge the slag; at the same time, this device allows the fumes and consequently the heat and the pollutants which the slag emits during the tipping and the time on the cooling surface to be conveyed and treated.

Torpedo cars for use with granulated iron production, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a torpedo car includes a tilting mechanism, a body rotatably coupled to the tilting mechanism, and a controller operably coupled to the tilting mechanism to control tilting of the body. The body can include (i) an inner surface defining a cavity and a channel, and (ii) an outer surface defining an opening to the cavity and a channel outlet of the channel spaced apart from the opening. The channel can extend between the channel outlet and a channel inlet interfacing the cavity. The inner surface can include a slag dam configured to prevent slag from exiting the opening while the torpedo car tilts. The controller can control the tilting mechanism to control molten metal flow out of the cavity through the channel.